Special Music School
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Overview
Educational philosophy
Traditional / AcademicPrograms offered
K+
Annual tuition
Free (NYC DOE)
School continues
Through Grade 12
Total students
~310
Financial aid
Not offered
Sibling & legacy
—
Special Music School is the nation's only K-12 public school built around intensive music education, located on the Upper West Side (District 3, DBN 03M859) and founded in 1996. It runs as a partnership between NYC Public Schools, which funds academics, and Kaufman Music Center, which fully funds the music program - private lessons, instruments, and ensembles - making a world-class music education free for admitted families. Admission is by musical-aptitude audition and is highly competitive (roughly 400 children audition for about 15 kindergarten seats). Students receive around 10 hours of music instruction weekly alongside a rigorous academic program, and the school posts exceptional outcomes, including 100% state-test proficiency and a 100% four-year graduation rate.
Programs & Schedule
Schedule
Monday – Friday
Extended hours
No
Tuition
Free; 2026-27 rate; [Detail: K-8 division, 129 West 67th Street] Public school, tuition free via NYC DOE; music program (private lessons, instruments, ensembles) fully funded by Kaufman Music Center. Admission by musical-aptitude audition: Kindergarten and Grade 6 apply via NYC MySchools; other grades via school-specific forms. K-1 assessed with hands-on interactive musical tasks (no prior training required); grades 2-8 submit a video plus in-person audition. program_age set to 'Kindergarten' (true entry that continues into higher grades) per SOP grade_band convention; real grades in grade_band. Bell times not published - left blank.
This school continues through Grade 12. Enrolled students progress without reapplying.
Admissions
Leadership
Katherine Banucci-Smith
Culture & Community
The nation's only K-12 public school built around an intensive, immersive music education paired with a rigorous academic program, offered without financial barriers. Run as a public/private partnership between NYC Public Schools (which funds academics) and Kaufman Music Center (which designs, delivers, and fully funds the music program). Students are admitted by musical-aptitude audition and receive roughly 10 hours of music instruction weekly, including two private lessons per week plus music theory, chorus, chamber groups, and large ensembles.
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